PLEASE NOTE: The advice given only reflects the information that we, at Medway Valley Training Partnership, would like to see in an application.
GUIDANCE
      • You will be asked for an email account to which a log in key is sent. Once activated, please fill in the details as required. There is no password asked for and if you log out, you log back in again through a new key being sent to your email address again.

       

      • In “PERSONAL DETAILS, ” Please use a UK address for correspondence.

      Whilst we very much welcome applications from applicants from both inside and outside of the UK. it is very difficult to arrange interviews and experiences from those not yet resident here.

      Please also remember to include a contact telephone number as interviews are often arranged at short notice,

      • In “CHOOSE YOUR COURSE” Look carefully at the types of courses available to you and the institutions that are offering them.

      For MVTP schools, select Medway Valley Training Partnership as your “Training Provider”, then the name of the course followed by your preferred school that you wish to train in. You have three choices at this stage.

      • Don’t be afraid to contact the institution and ask for a visit or discuss the course. Definitely see if there is an opportunity for a School Experience visit. MVTP schools provides a number of opportunities throughout the year.

      This would give you a real flavour of what you can expect from training to be a teacher. You can include the visit on your application as “added experience” and, of course, if you like the school or training institution and the school likes you, you will be in a much stronger position for being offered a placement there; especially if you are choosing the school direct route. Many of our appointed trainees have come via the school experience route.

      • In “REFEREES,” Choose two referees who can talk about your suitability to become a teacher. At least one should be either an Academic, Professional or School based reference and the other either another of the above or someone who can provide a character reference: This should NOT be a close family member.

      Prepare them for the reference asking them to speak about any skills, knowledge or experience that you have had that will equip you for a career in teaching. Also, impress on them the need to complete and return their reference at the earliest possible time. Your application will not be released to your chosen providers until both references are returned.

      • In “QUALIFICATIONS,” Please include all qualifications

      For GCSE English and Maths grades that are below the required GRADE C/ Level 4, please already be thinking about how you are to ensure that you will meet this DfE requirement before the course begins.

      Do not forget any other qualification that might assist your application. For Example, any graded music or dance exams or coaching badges. It is useful to have a clear breakdown of the modules of your degree specialism, especially if you wish to train in a subject area to which your degree is not directly related.

      • In “WORK HISTORY,” Detail all work that you have had since leaving Education and include any experience that you have had with children other than your own.

      Paid work history will be assessed for continuity. Where there is a gap, there needs to be an explanation of what you were doing. Eg. Unemployed whilst looking for new work, or Raising a family,

      For unpaid experience with working with children, this can include any opportunity that you have had to work alongside others such as a scout or guide leader, accompanying a group of children on a trip as well as any work experience either through taster days or the school experience programme. Use this opportunity to list any impending school experience visits that you may have arranged.

      • In “PERSONAL STATEMENT,” This is where you can make or break an application. Spelling and Grammar need to be checked and re-checked. Below are some tips as to what to include in an application.

      Write about…….

      • Why you want to become a teacher;
      • What you can bring to teaching;
        • Talk about what you have discovered on work experience and how that can prepare you for teaching training and beyond;
        • Talk about other experiences that you have working with young people;
        • Mention hobbies or other activities that you have. Can any of these be explored with students through extra-curricular activities?
        • Talk about any career experiences that have prepared you for teaching. For example, you mentored apprentices or you were a scout or guide leader;
        • DO NOT fall into the trap of giving a potted career history UNLESS it is relevant to your future career as a teacher
        • Think of an inspirational teacher or lesson. Talk about the characteristics of that teacher or lesson that were outstanding. What have you discovered that you would like to bring to your style of teaching.

      In “ADJUSTMENTS,”, Let us know of anything that we will need to be aware about so we know any special support measures that we will need to consider should you be successful in your application

      Please do not be afraid to be honest here. It just helps providers in their planning for your training and in the provision of any extra support that you may need. Please include any physical or emotional adjustments that we will need to consider as well as any knowledge diagnosed or undiagnosed of Dyslexia or Dyscalculia for example.  All MVTP schools and our training partners Kent and Medway Training, pride ourselves on the support that we can give all of our trainees that ensures that we can give you every opportunity to make your successful journey into teaching.

      In “SAFEGUARDING,” you need to list any issues that we and your chosen school needs to consider.

      This will need to include any police cautions either given or impending, any court orders or anything that could be perceived to potential be a safeguarding issue. If in doubt, include it. INCLUDING A SAFEGUARDING ISSUE DOES NOT AUTOMATICALLY MEAN A REJECTION OF YOUR APPLICATION but providers and schools will have a legal duty of care to ensure that all children in their schools as safe and whether you are safe to train. Certainly, the more honest you are and upfront you are, the more a school is likely to see in your favour. Far more concern is expressed when an applicant is found to have an undeclared reference on their DBS than would be the case if known about in advance.

      • and FINALLY, ASK SOMEONE TO READ THROUGH YOUR APPLICATION CAREFULLY.

      You can check your application thoroughly and in great detail. However, there is nothing more detracting for a reader than sections of the application either not properly completed and/ or spelling, punctuation and grammar inaccuracies: Please do not forget that you are applying to become a teacher who will be expected to communicate in an appropriate manner to students, parents and anyone else in a variety of professional ways. There is nothing better than asking a second person to read through your application just in case there are errors that you have inadvertently missed.

 

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